Main Market is regrouping in the face of dwindling sales, says the Spokesman-Review:
John Grollmus, chairman of the co-op board, said he and his board colleagues realized sales were falling well below projections after the initial excitement.
Well, yes, this isn't too surprising to those of us who go there regularly. I mean, it's nice to have the place to ourselves and all, but an empty store is, if my high-school business teacher taught me correctly, a long walk off a short pier. Year of Plenty suggests the Rocket Market owners should run the co-op, something which certainly can be discussed any which way, but, really, there's no denying Main Market has been poorly managed up until now, from the board down. I realize that's an unpopular opinion among some, but there you go.
Almost six months after its soft opening, Main Market still feels like it's only halfway open. There are plenty of empty shelves, and a large chunk of the staff... Well, I'm sure they're lovely people, but your local IGA employee is more professional. This is not good.
I earlier mentioned we go to Main Market regularly, but that regularity is waning. Rocket Market and Huckleberry's both carry a better variety of products, even at better prices and a staff of higher standards.
I really do want to like the co-op. Heck, I do like it, but I can't help but feel the required changes that need to be made are coming in way too slowly. Knock on wood, and let's hope this lingering teething process will end soon.